Testimonials

“The Migliarese family is an extension of the Gracie family.”

“Phil is like a brother, like blood, he would die for us. “

- Relson Gracie
Red/Black Black Belt
Son of Grand Master Helio Gracie

Phil has been my student since he was 12 years old, nearly twenty years; His Jiu-jitsu is Gracie Jiu-jitsu. When Phil was a boy, he swept mats, cleaned the academy, all to learn Gracie jiu jitsu. I saw his dedication and passion for Jiu-jitsu. I knew that he wanted to learn. From day one, I had big plans for him.

Phil received his Black Belt from me for three reasons: first, he proved himself to be a champion in competition, second, because he's a qualified teacher, and third, because he is a good person and well liked. Phil lives his Jiu-jitsu. He knows how to teach the Gracie Self-defense to Kids, Women and Law enforcement, as well as create champions of his own.

The Miglilarese family is like an extension of the Gracie Family. Phil is like a brother, like blood, he would die for us. He represents the Gracie family very well in Philadelphia.

- Relson Gracie
Red/Black Black Belt
Son of Grand Master Helio Gracie

"Phil and Rick Migliarese have been training Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with my family for over 20 years! The Migliarese brothers are very good instructors and great friends of mine! They have helped spread the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu style that my father created!"

Royce Gracie, UFC Champion

"Phil is one of the True Masters."

"I have traveled and taken classes with many famous and not so famous people in grappling and jiujitsu. Phil Migliarese is hands down the best instructor I have had the pleasure of learning from."

Phil is one of the true masters. He is a student of Jiu-jitsu and a fan. He wants to impart all that he knows to his students without regard for political or financial gain His methodical approach to systematically improving your jiu-jitsu cannot be matched. His methods have helped me prepare and win in many different grappling arenas with the gi or without, locally and internationally.

I have trained all across the country and the world (been to brazil five times), Phil is the embodiment of the true meaning of jiu jitsu , the gentle art. His technique is smooth and the effectivenss of his game is amazing.

I would consider phil an expert in many fields. His ability to adapt Gracie jiu jitsu for Law enforcement is amazing, also his ability to teach ashtanga yoga to combat and non-combat athletes is as equally overwhelming. He takes students to a new level of athletic prowess.

I have traveled and taken classes with many famous and not so famous people in grappling and jiujitsu. Phil Migliarese is hands down the best instructor I have had the pleasure of learning from.

I would recommend anyone from world champion black belt, NCAA College wrestling all American or your average joe/jane off the street to take class from Phil. The reason is it has something for everyone. If you want to compete at the the highest level and win, you must study with Phil Migliarese.

"I hold Phil in the highest regard for both his skills and for his character."

"He is by far, one of the most innovative, technical and talented Jiu-jitsu instructor and fighter anywhere in the world."

I have known and trained with Phil Migliarese for about ten years. He is by far, one of the most innovative, technical and talented Jiu-jitsu instructor/fighters anywhere in the world. His skills as a fighter are only surpassed by his skills as a teacher. I hold Phil in the highest regard for both his skills and for his character. If you are looking to learn Gracie jiu-jitsu and you are able to make it to Balance Studios, take my advice and train with Phil.

Robert Kahn
-Royce Gracie Black Belt
-Owner of Gracie Tampa

"In my opinion, Phil is elite in his fields..."

"I have never found anyone that was a better instructor or more dedicated than Phil"

I have been a peace officer for 30 years and for 22 of those years also a prosecutor. I have known Phil Migliarese for a little over 11 years. During my time in the Martial Arts which spans 46 years, I have trained with many World Champions' and fighters. I have been a World Champion in my age & weight in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a Purple Belt and a Brown Belt.

I fought for the Heavyweight World championship in Full-Contact Karate and was World Rated in that sport for a number of years in the 70's. Of all the people I have trained with I have never found anyone that was a better instructor or more dedicated then Phil. He has helped my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tremendously in the times I have trained with him, plus his instruction and help to me in Ashtanga Yoga has been invaluable in helping my flexibility, endurance, and strength. I would highly recommend Phil as an instructor in Self-Defense, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or Ashtanga Yoga. In my opinion, Phil is elite in his fields.

Sincerely,

Pat "Hawk"Hardy
- World champion Royce Gracie Black belt

"I would recommend Phil, not only because he is my brother, but because he is a true master of Jiu-Jitsu!"

"Besides being a good brother, he is a great mentor that can grab you in your first class, and then mold you, over time, into a Champion Black Belt in jiu-jitsu. "

Listen to my Brother Phil. He has taken me from my first day in jiu-jitsu as a white belt to a Black belt, with World and Pan AM titles.

He started teaching me Jiu-jitsu when I was 16 years old, at a time when I could have gone down the wrong path. Instead he showed me the importance of hard work and how important the practice of jiu-jitsu is for children and adolescents.

Besides being a good brother, he is a great mentor that can grab you in your first class, and then mold you, over time, into a Champion Black Belt in jiu-jitsu.

I would recommend Phil, not only because he is my brother, but because he is a true master of Jiu-jitsu, He is a Master in the fighting side and the teaching and coaching side of Jiu-jitsu.

- He captures the imagination of those who are new to Jiu Jitsu, and those who've practiced all their life. It is the ideal we all aspire to.

Phil's technique epitomizes the effortless style of jiu jitsu that we all would love to achieve his seemingly effortless flow captures the imagination of those who are new to jiu jitsu, and those who've practiced all their life. It is the ideal we all aspire to.

I can recall preparing for the 2001 Pan Ams and one position in particular that I was having trouble with. Phil showed me a simple solution, a basic technique to sweep the opponent. A week later I was competing and was able to use that same technique on my way to a bronze medal.

"If you're looking for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, or Muay Thai in the Philadelphia area, look no further than Balance Studios! The Migliarese brothers run one of the most professional and organized academy's that we have ever encountered.

Their Migliarese Brothers techniques are safe, simple, easy to learn and innovative. Balance Studios teachs everyone, from the beginner to the professional UFC fighter. "

Keith & Kenny Florian, UFC Fighter.

"Phil and Rick opened up their gym with open arms. I’ve been training for my UFC fight and I feel like my game has improved so much. My Jiu-Jitsu game has elevated along with everything else. I definitely feel ready to fight after training with Balance.”